City Manager Lee Garrity has recommended to Mayor Allen Joines and the City Council a $482.2 million budget for 2017-18 that would expand city bus service, increase capital spending for updating the aging water and sewer system and raise the pay for police officers and the city’s field employees. The proposed budget allocates $347 million for operations, $37 million for debt service and $98 million for capital improvements. The property tax rate would be 59.74 cents for every $100 of value, an increase of 1.24 cents. READ MORE

Kimberley Park, Parkland and Polo pools will be open the weekend of June 3-4. They along with Bolton, Mineral Springs, Reynolds Park and Sprague pools will open daily for the summer on June 9.

All pools offer three sessions of free children’s swim lessons. Sign-ups for the first session will be held June 10 at 10 a.m. at each pool. Free adult swim lessons and a Babes in Arms program for parents and children under five start June 17 at all swimming pools. Contact the pool you want to attend the week before to preregister. READ MORE

Three Spraygrounds Now Open

New "spraygrounds" have opened at Hathaway, Little Creek and Reynolds parks. Spraygrounds are water playgrounds with fixtures and fountains that spray water. Unlike the water play areas at Kimberley Park and Bolton pools, there is no standing water in a sprayground, making them inherently safer for children and a popular alternative to swimming pools. The spraygrounds will be open during park hours and can be operated by the public.

These are the first of the nine spraygrounds the city is building with recreation bonds that voters approved in the November 2014 bond referendum. Additional spraygrounds are under construction or planned at Sedge Garden and Rupert Bell recreation centers, Polo, Parkland and Mineral Springs pools and at a new park being developed on Bethabara Road in the North Ward.

Northwest Boulevard Closed between University Parkway and Chatham Road

The portion of Northwest Boulevard between University Parkway and Chatham Road has been closed to through traffic until further notice because the street is being undermined by erosion around a pipe that passes under the street at 711 W. Northwest Boulevard. Residents to the east of the closure will be able to get to their houses from University Parkway. Vehicles will have access to the Hanes Geo Components plant from Chatham Road.

Now’s the Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management is encouraging residents to plan now for hurricane season by updating their emergency plans and supply kits. Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November. Plans should include where to go and what to do if a hurricane strikes, and make provisions for those under your care who are unable to help themselves. Emergency supply kits should contain enough non-perishable food and a gallon of water per person per day to last three to seven days. READ MORE

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